Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan is in Israel this week to speak about his city's projects, particularly the redevelopment of Bethlehem Steel, at the Israeli Mayors Institute on City Renewal.

Before an international audience, Callahan will detail how the birthplace of what was once the nation's No. 2 steelmaker was remade into an arts, cultural and business district sprawling across 1,800 acres along the Lehigh River.

The 2-year-old institute is modeled after the U.S. Mayors' Institute on City Design. Members of the Israeli institute in 2009 visited Bethlehem as part of a five-city tour with mayors who were alumni of the American counterpart. Callahan had presented the Steel redevelopment project to the institute early in his term when the project was uncertain.

This is the mayor's second trip to Israel during his tenure. In 2006, he and seven other mayors from the U.S. Conference of Mayors traveled to Israel for the 24th annual Jerusalem Conference of Mayors to discuss common challenges.

The expenses are being paid by the Movement for Israeli Urbanism, the nonprofit which founded the Israeli institute.

During his visit, Callahan will visit Bethlehem Palestine and meet with Mayor Dr. Victor Batarseh.